Leon Edwards is still seeking justice for his 2019 “three-piece and a soda” meal courtesy of Jorge Masvidal.
Each welterweight fighter won big at the UFC London event, beating Gunnar Nelson (and Darren Till) respectively. They got into a heated argument at the end of the evening, as Masvidal was backstage being interviewed by Laura Sanko. Edwards received the famed multi-punch combination that saw him get cut below the eye.
The UFC has never tried to capitalize on this glaringly simple matchup. Not until Dec. 2021, anyway, when the pair was booked for UFC 269, but things fell apart after Masvidal sustained a rib injury, forcing him from the bout.
It led Edwards to the place he was meant to be, which was an UFC title shot against Kamaru Usman. Edwards shocked the world with a comeback Hail Mary head kick knockout to become champion while Masvidal has lost his last three.
“I don’t like him that much, but I’m rooting for him to win so I can fight him,” Edwards told Believe You Me. “He just keeps losing so it’s hard to make the fight make sense. Even said that if he fought in December, January, Gilbert [Burns] and beat them all, I would fight him in March. Then get Usman in the Summer or something. He should take a break and then I will fight you in March. But he never did that.
“We’ll see. Skillset-wise, it’s two different levels. My career involves doing this, his is doing that. The fight is difficult to understand right now. It’s something I want to see happen .”
Edwards may not take place at the moment, but it could happen after Usman puts an end to his rivalry.
The promotion officially announced the trilogy is on for UFC 286 in London on March 18, where Edwards targets his first title defense over the last man to defeat him. Edwards was strong in their August fight, scoring an impressive takedown halfway through the first round. He then controlled the champion from that point to the end. Salt Lake City, Utah, was the reason that the Brit lost his momentum. Usman took over the last four frames.
Now that Usman feels what Edwards can do in the form a spectacular knockout, the champion is expecting a heavier approach to wrestling this time.
” I think that if you look at the [rematch] it was Usman just being Usman,” Edwards stated. I don’t know how he can be such a different fighter now. He might come out and keep proper, not slipping as big. You get worn out as you wrestle, and you fall back into your old habits. He’ll probably wrestle me more (laughs).
” In the beginning, he had been wrestling in his first fight. He could see from miles away. I will be prepared for that with me and my team. Physically, mentally, we know that that’s his plan. That would be his plan if I were him. To go out and have a terrible fight. You just need to win. He’ll try to wrestle his ass off.” He will try to get his arse .”
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TOP STORIES
Deals. Jon Jones Advisor Richard Schaefer: Francis Ngannou “made a mistake” by not signing with UFC
Takes. Aljamain Sterling ‘saddened’ by Francis Ngannou’s UFC exit: ‘Both sides of the party messed up’
Narratives. Eddie Alvarez blasts Dana White over Francis Ngannou comments: ‘Nobody in the UFC is afraid of anyone’
Farewell. Claudio Silva, the first man to defeat Leon Edwards in the UFC, retires from MMA
Odds. Jon Jones favorite over Ciryl Gane in opening UFC 285 betting line
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
UFC 283 Embedded 1.
Years of Shogun.
Free fight.
The War Room – Teixeira vs. Hill.
Sauna with a Gangster …
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
And new.
Dana White with the Power Slap Championship. pic.twitter.com/nBkS9rSRXN
— Jed I. Goodman (c) (@jedigoodman) January 16, 2023
Khabib.
True passion for the sport.
When coach Khabib is not coaching, he’s still coaching.
Throwback to Eagle FC 49, when Shakhban Alkhasov choked out Mikhail Doroshenko… pic.twitter.com/cuDYQTislx
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) January 16, 2023
Super fun thing to be a part of.
This guy’s face swelled like crazy and he’s bleeding but he’s still going, can’t be too healthy pic.twitter.com/jSIae09dt2
— Matysek (@Matysek88) January 16, 2023
AND HE WON THE WHOLE THING! pic.twitter.com/vE8vQAvO94
— Matysek (@Matysek88) January 16, 2023
Figgy
Hit the music #TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/3oHwHUAXGM
— Jed I. Goodman (c) (@jedigoodman) January 16, 2023
Just a number.
Glover Teixeira(43) challenges for the UFC’s Light Heavyweight title at UFC 283.
The oldest fighter to compete in a title bout is Dan Henderson. He was 46 years old when he challenged Michael Bisping at UFC 204.
— Andy Hickey MMA (@AndyHickeyMMA) January 16, 2023
Activity.
I’m most active fighter in the UFC flyweight division! You like it or not I don’t care!
March 18th it will my 4th fight in 12 months! I will see my people in London #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/qrc6ZhmvKu— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) January 16, 2023
UFC Matcmaker Mick Maynard told me that no top 15 available for March 19th so I said give me anyone!
April we have Ramadan , June I gonna start training and I didn’t want to waste time and miss this card!
I tried my best to get top 15 opponent who could get me close to the belt— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) January 16, 2023
Traffic.
I love Rio! I have been here since Sunday. But the traffic here wow is the worse going to training in the morning was 15 min a little traffic, now 1:25 minutes WTF
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) January 16, 2023
Vacation.
Let’s gooo pic.twitter.com/AeH3fICwbR
— Juan Archuleta (@jarchmma) January 17, 2023
Comradery.
My usual pre-fight speech to @bullyb170 pic.twitter.com/YzsSlEntwH
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) January 17, 2023
Coffee.
I wish we had a Tim Hortons in the states.
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) January 17, 2023
Respect.
We shot our shot #MMATwitter #WeAreCageTitans | @francis_ngannou pic.twitter.com/mnGhtsFchF
— We Are Cage Titans (@CageTitans) January 16, 2023
It was quite gross.
Basics.
Vacation.
Thrilling.
I’m addicted to the the thrill
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) January 16, 2023
Stats.
Ciryl Gane’s last two wins;
Derrick Lewis
Tai Tuivasa28 minutes, 34 seconds.
………………………………
Sergei Pavlovich’s last two wins:Derrick Lewis
Tai Tuivasa1 minute, 49 seconds.
— Andy Hickey MMA (@AndyHickeyMMA) January 17, 2023
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Muhammad Mokaev (8-0) vs. Jafel Filho (14-2); UFC 286, March 18
Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-10) vs. Luana Pinheiro (10-1); UFC 287, April 8
Karol Rosa (16-4) vs. Norma Dumont (8-2); UFC Fight Night, April 22
FINAL THOUGHTS
We all understand why Edwards would want to fight Masvidal, but it’s entirely lost any luster at this point and would be a pretty large waste of time. Masvidal is 38 now and it would be quite a surprise for him to make a huge turnaround at this stage.
Thank you for reading!
POLL POSITION
Last Week’s Results:
Friday: 87% of 604 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Will Dana White be dealt an official punishment for his actions on New Year’s Eve?”
Thursday: 82% of 385 total votes answered “Dan Ige” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Ige defeated Damon Jackson via second-round knockout (punch) in the UFC Vegas 67 co-main event.
Wednesday: 69% of 649 total votes answered “Nassourdine Imavov” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Sean Strickland defeated Imavov via unanimous decision in the UFC Vegas 67 main event.
Tuesday: 90% of 543 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Is Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev the fight to make?”
Monday: 58% of 625 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Will Beneil Dariush fight for the lightweight title in 2023?”
Today’s exit poll:
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Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/1/17/23557891/morning-report-leon-edwards-rooting-for-jorge-masvidals-success-thats-a-fight-i-need-to-happen-ufc?rand=96749
